Mesopotamia (Between the Rivers) refers to the area watered
by the rivers Tigris and Euphrates whose water comes from rain
falling on the mountains of Turkey. Turkey claims the right to
use this water, though custom and International Law normally
gives countries along a river a right to water they have used
in the past.

Turkey's water development plans, which include a number of
new dams and irrigation projects, are taking the water of these
rivers.

These rivers supply the agricultural and domestic needs of
the downstream countries. If the water continues to be extracted
by Turkey there could be conflict added to the Gulf war and its
aftermath.

During the Gulf War Iraq
was bombed from Turkey and Syria sent troops to Saudi Arabia
and closed its frontier with Iraq. Disputes over water would
put Syria and Iraq on the same side, opposing Turkey.

Turkey is suspected of wishing to control the northern oil
fields of Iraq, though its government has denied any such wish.
Nevertheless the Turks would prefer that the Kurds of this area
should not gain independence and act as a model for the Kurds
of Turkey. Turkey has not formally renounced its claim to the
former Vilayet of Mosul in which the oil fields are found.

In August 1991 Turkey took advantage of the demilitarized
state of the border regions to chase Kurdish rebels into Iraq
and occupy part of the Iraqi frontier zone, confident no doubt
of the gratitude of the coalition powers for Turkey's support
in the Gulf war. The Turkish government has denied any intention
of wishing to annex any part of Iraq and assured that they would
leave "as soon as possible". Turkey is still maintaining
influence in the area.

Climate Change is likely to lead to less rainfall in Turkey
and so, even greater restrictions on the water in the rivers.